SHOPPERS looking to pick up some last-minute items this Easter should bear in mind that their local shops might be closed.
It’s worth checking what’s open and what’s not in advance as you want to avoid a wasted trip.
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Easter this year falls on Sunday, March 31, while Good Friday is March 29 and Easter Monday is April 1.
Typically, shops stay open for Good Friday and Easter Monday despite them being bank holidays.
But you should always check ahead if you can.
Most larger retailers have store locators on their websites which you can use to check the opening hours of your nearest branch.
Government rules dictate that stores in England and Wales over 280 square metres in size are legally obliged to close on Easter Sunday.
Shops smaller than this can remain open, but may change their opening hours to give staff time off.
Either way, we’ve asked the major supermarkets and shops what their stores’ opening hours will be over Easter to save you some effort.
Asda
Opening times across Asda’s supermarkets will vary so shoppers are advised to check the retailer’s store locator on its website.
However, most of its larger stores will be open between 7am and 10pm on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
All larger stores will be closed on Easter Sunday and then most will reopen on Easter Monday between 7am and 10pm.
Most of its smaller Express stores will open at 7am and close at 10pm on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
Aldi
Aldi’s stores in England and Wales will be open until 10pm on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, while all will close on Easter Sunday.
They will reopen on Easter Monday, closing at 8pm.
Opening hours will vary so you should use the retailer’s store locator tool for clarification.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Iceland
Iceland stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will all close on Easter Sunday, while Scottish branches will stay open.
Regular opening hours will apply for Easter Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday, apart from shopping centre branches.
You should check out the supermarket’s store locator tool on its website for further information on your local branch’s opening hours.
Tesco
Most of Tesco’s branches will be running normal trading hours on Good Friday although some may close earlier than usual, while Scottish stores will run as per normal.
On Easter Sunday, all of the retailer’s larger stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be closed, while its Scottish stores will be open from 8am to 8pm.
The vast majority of its Express stores will remain open on Easter Sunday.
On Easter Monday, store opening hours will vary depending on location, although many large branches will be operating reduced hours, closing at 8pm.
Express stores will be open as normal on Easter Monday.
Lidl
Discounter Lidl’s stores will be open as normal on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Stores in England and Wales will close on Easter Sunday and reopen on Easter Monday.
Lidl’s Scottish stores will be open on Easter Sunday.
M&S
M&S’ stores will open as usual on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with the majority opening between 8am and 8pm.
Most of its stores will close on Easter Sunday however a small number will open from 9am to 6pm.
The retailer didn’t specify which stores will open on Easter Sunday so you should use its store locator tool to find out if yours will be open.
You can also check out opening times via the retailer’s app which you can download for free via Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Co-op
Co-op’s larger stores will be open as usual on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday.
However, branches in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will close on Easter Sunday.
Co-op’s smaller convenience stores will be open as normal across the Easter weekend.
Check out the retailer’s store locator to find out exact opening hours for your local branch.
Waitrose
Most of Waitrose’s stores will be open between 8am and 8pm on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Some of its smaller stores will be open between 6am and midnight.
All Waitrose shops will be open as normal on Easter Saturday while the vast majority of its stores in England, Scotland and Wales will shut on Easter Sunday.
However, the following branches will stay open on Easter Sunday:
- Fulham Palace Rd
- West Kensington
- Clapham Common
- Knightsbridge
- Victoria Street
- Kings Cross Station
- South Bank Tower
- Wimbledon Hill
- East Putney
- West Hampstead
- Highbury Corner
- Muswell Hill
- Finchley Central
- Byres Rd
- Newton Mearns
- Stirling
- Milngavie
- Comely Bank
- Morningside
- Fitzroy Street, Cambridge
Morrisons
Morrisons said its opening hours will vary across England, Scotland and Wales.
The supermarket chain said anyone keen to know opening times for specific branches can use its online store locator.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s said the vast majority of its stores will be open from 7am until 10pm on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Meanwhile, its Local stores will be open as normal from 7am to 10pm on both days.
All Sainsbury’s larger UK stores will be closed on Easter Sunday, barring its Scottish branches which will open as normal, and its Local stores which will be open as usual from 7am to 10pm.
On Easter Monday, the vast majority of Sainsbury’s stores will be open between 8am and 8pm while Local stores will be open from 7am to 10pm.
Home Bargains
All of Home Bargains’ stores will be closed on Easter Sunday, except those in Scotland.
The discounter said opening hours for its branches across Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday will vary.
Customers should check out the retailer’s branch locator tool on its website.
B&M
Discounter B&M’s branches will be open as per usual on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday.
On Easter Sunday, all England, Wales and Northern Ireland stores will be closed for the entire day.
Scottish stores will remain open as normal on Easter Sunday.
Next
Next said all its stores will be open as usual on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday.
All its branches in England will close on Easter Sunday while the vast majority will close in Scotland.
However, some will be open on Easter Sunday. You should check out the retailer’s store locator tool for more information.
John Lewis
All of John Lewis’ stores will be open between 10am and 6pm on Good Friday and Easter Monday, although some may be open later.
All stores will be running as normal on Easter Saturday while all of its UK branches will be closed on Easter Sunday.
However, its Edinburgh and Glasgow stores will be open between 10am and 6pm on Easter Sunday.
Superdrug
Superdrug’s stores will trade as normal on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, although opening times may vary depending on the site.
On Easter Sunday 221 stores will be open and trading, with Superdrug urging customers to check out its store locator to find out if their local branch is included in the list.
On Easter Monday, the retailer will open branches although opening hours may vary from store to store.
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